O Divine Redeemer

About a week into my post-student limbo world, I received an email from my voice teacher Diane Reich - have I mentioned that she's an angel? Some of my dearest college memories happened in her office. She asked if I wanted to sing in a devotional!! That was always a bit of a dream for me, so I responded with, "YES YES YES!!" My song of choice was "O Divine Redeemer" and because it was the beginning of spring term, the song was up for grabs. Another perk of performing in the spring was that the devotionals take place in the DeJong Concert Hall instead of the Marriot Center! Huge plus for me, I'm afraid I would completely drown in that HUGE place - and I had performed in the DeJong many times so it would be a familiar atmosphere. The performance date was May 1, 2012 - I was 27 weeks pregnant.

I feel like this is the crowning jewel of my college career. Not my Senior Recital or any other performance... not a project or anything like that. But this incredible opportunity to bear my testimony of the reality that God is there. He hears us. He knows us. He loves us.
There is so much power and beauty in opera and classical music, and it changed my life studying it. But because of this opportunity, I had the chance to truly know where to channel my talents - in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Doesn't mean I won't perform other things of course - but when I channel the love of God through whatever song I may be singing at the time, I always communicate the message I want to bring to the table best when I do it for and through the Spirit.
Recently I had someone request to comment on this video. This is what a perfect stranger said:

Jeremy Pearson

1 month ago

 

I found this little gem while preparing for an arrangement of this song. This is my favorite version of this song on Youtube. This young woman exudes virtue and faith. She has an amazing talent and an even more amazing love of our Savior. Young and pregnant-I can just picture her raising her child to follow the teachings of Christ. Behold, oh world, the power of motherhood! I can't help but watch it over and over.

Those words mean the world to me. So thank you, Jeremy (whoever you are), for reminding me what a special morning this was, and for articulating so beautifully what a source of power our testimonies, prayers, and faithful devotions are.
I've always felt my testimony is the most tender when shared in song. My voice is a part of me that has done as much developing and analyzing as almost any other part of my being, and through it I show some of my biggest fears, weaknesses, and strengths. So here's to opening our hearts and sharing what is dear to us. Only then will the Lord really be able to use us to bless His children.

"In the sight of the Lord, it is not so much what we have done or where we have been but much more where we are willing to go." 

- Elder Edward Dube